Energy-Efficient Hydrogen Production

The hydrogen production system installed on the rooftop of a block in National University of Singapore

Pure hydrogen is an important element for clean and sustainable energy. This cost-effective method of hydrogen production combines electrolysis, photocatalysis and photovoltaic panels. This novel approach significantly enhances the rate of hydrogen production while using less energy, as compared to conventional methods.

Electrolysis is conventionally used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. In this approach, the use of photocatalysts promotes the splitting of water molecules and improves the quantity of hydrogen production. Adding photovoltaic panels to the electrolysis-photocatalysis hybrid system further provides a sustainable system by harnessing sunlight and solar heat. A magnetic-assisted membrane separation system is also used to ensure hydrogen production at high purity levels.

The hydrogen production system

This system is feasible for application in a densely populated city like Singapore, as the system can be installed on rooftops of high rise buildings. The system can provide electricity and power for the buildings, hence significantly reducing the buildings’ carbon footprint. When implemented in a tropical city like Singapore, an abundance of rainwater can be fed to the system to produce clean and sustainable energy.

This technology is developed by a team of researchers from National University of Singapore, including Prof Ernest Chua. The team is working with potential technology and commercial partners such as ST Kinetics Ltd and Vertes Technologies. This technology was funded by NRF’s Proof-of-Concept grant scheme.